“I am very excited and proud to join the Montreal Alouettes and want to thank team owner Robert Wetenhall, general manager Jim Popp and head coach Tom Higgins for this opportunity,” Sam said in a release. “I cannot wait to put on the pads, get back on the field and work hard each and every day with my teammates to bring a Grey Cup to the great fans here in Montreal.”

Sam won the SEC Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2013 at Missouri, and was selected in the seventh round of the NFL Draft in 2014 by the Rams. After being cut before the start of the regular season, he signed with the Cowboys in a practice squad role. Dallas waived Sam the next month.

Sam is best-known for becoming the first openly gay football player drafted by an NFL team.

“With the signing of Michael Sam, we have become a better organization today,” Alouettes’ GM Jim Popp said in a release. “Not only have we added an outstanding football player, we have added even a better person that brings dignity, character, and heart to our team.”

The Alouettes start the regular season on June 25 against the Ottawa Redblacks.